The mother gharial with over 30 hatchlings, from previous night hatching, were seen on 12 May 2022 morning near Beherasahi of Satkoshia Gorge, River Mahanadi. This is the second consecutive year of breeding in recent years in Satkoshia. A very good news for crocodilian fraternity. If the family is allowed an uninterrupted stay in Satkoshia, the Gorge will return to the glory of the long past. India's first crocodile conservation project was launched at Tikarpada in 1975 June, and the Satkoshia Gorge Gharial Sanctuary- the second PA of Odisha state, was declared in May 1976.
Last year (2021), 28 hatchlings were seen with the mother at the same place, and I had to make a lot of effort to convince that the brood was not from a maiden clutch (which is normally from 10 eggs) but from a mother who has returned to the gorge taking advantage of tranquility and peaceful conditions brought and enforced upon the Gorge because of Covid restrictions imposed on human dimensions. The new set of staff, their elated anxiety, getting close with boat and air-borne camera, early rain and small flood saw the mother shifted out of the breeding place. After months, the adults returned to the breeding place, and the process has continued. The staff are cautious and have shown utmost refinements in enthusiasm. A researcher is at the location to keep track, a system which ensures better dedication and data collection.
One biological inference from two seasons of 2021 and 2022, is that Mahanadi and Odisha are at a latitude, where gharial hatching takes place by middle of May. Mahanadi happens to hold the southernmost population of gharial demonstrating chances of viability. As we go north, the date gets shifted into Nepal habitats. Egg laying should have been in the middle of March.
Great scope for studying the natural history. The hatchlings should not be interfered or shifted away from mother. Let the flood and other natural hazards come, naturally for the gharial family. They will settle and perhaps attract a few more breeding adults from other parts of Mahanadi which skip getting noticed during survey observations.
I only wish that the Gharial enters the list of IUCN Green List
